This is the blog of China defense, where professional analysts and serious defense enthusiasts share findings on a rising military power.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Dongfeng 16?

According to the Republic of China's National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Der-sheng, People's Republic of China's new DF-16 SSM is now operational. There was no previous public report available regarding this missile so little is known at this point. However, that does not the speculation (here) (here)

“The DF-16 is a new addition to the People’s Liberation Army arsenal, and poses a greater threat to Taiwan given its extended range and more powerful payload,” Tsai said March 16 during a legislative question-and-answer session.

The NSB chief confirmed that the DF-16 is not an upgrade from the existing DF-15.

According to Tsai, mainland China is also deploying its “carrier killer” DF-21D long-range anti-ship ballistic missile. “NSB intelligence confirms that the PLA has completed several rounds of successful tests and deployment is under way,” he said.

Ruling Kuomintang Legislator Lin Yu-fang said he was shocked by the latest developments as so far there had been no reports of testing for the new weapons.

“Adm. Robert Willard, head of U.S. Pacific Command, said during a December 2010 interview with Japan’s Asahi Shimbun that while the DF-21D had reached initial operational capability, it would need several more years of testing,” he added.

Sources familiar with the matter said the PLA has around 1,400 missiles, most of which are DF-11s and DF-15s, deployed along mainland China’s southeastern coast targeting Taiwan. (JSM)